Refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor preferably for use in a home and adapted to receive loose refuse such as empty cans, bottles and cartons, paper, garbage and the like, as it accumulates, can be operated to compact such refuse in order to reduce its volume. The compaction can occur cyclically in that the compactor can be operated a number of times, being fed loose refuse repeatedly, until the collective compaction of the refuse has reduced its volume as desired to a fraction of its original volume. The compactor comprises two relatively movable members one of which is a receptacle which is moved by a pressurized fluid toward the other to compact the refuse interposed therebetween. Such operating fluid may be of any type, gas or liquid. Pressurized water is preferred because it is generally available in urban and suburban regions as a domestic water supply. The operating fluid works against a flexible fluid impervious diaphragm arranged to thrust the receptacle member toward the other member, selectively operable valve means being provided to control the introduction and withdrawal of the fluid into a fluid operating chamber defined jointly by such diaphragm and a housing which surrounds the movable receptacle.

United States Patent Fierle et al.

151 3,688,689 [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] REFUSE COMPACTOR [72] Inventors: Robert J. Fierle, East Aurora; James A. Mott, Buffalo; Herbert E. Oles; George A. Reed, both of William- 21 App1.No.: 97,138

[52] US. Cl ..l/2l8, 100/249, 100/269 A,

l00/D1G. [51] Int. Cl. ..Bb 15/32 [58] Field of Search ..92/79; 141/73, 80; 53/124 B; 1001269 A, 229 A, 229, 249, 218, 250, 251,

510,577 8/1939 Great Britain ..100/250 567,672 2/ 1945 Great Britain ..100/251 Great Britain 100/269 A Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorhey-Sommer, Weber & Gastel 57 ABSTRACT A refuse compactor preferably for use in a home and adapted to receive loose refuse such as empty cans, bottles and cartons, paper, garbage and the like, as it accumulates, can be operated to compact such refuse in order to reduce its volume. The compaction can occur cyclically in that the compactor can be operated a number of times,-being fed loose refuse repeatedly,

until the collective compaction of the refuse has reduced its volume as desired to a fraction of its I '15 original volume. The compactor comprises two relatively movable members one of which is a receptacle [56] References cued which is moved by a pressurized fluid toward the other UNITED STATES PATENTS to compact: 121C116 refuts; infterposed therebetlweeg. Sal-10h operating ui may 0 any type, gas or iqui es- 3,133,492 5/1963 Czulalc et a1. .;100/269 A smiled water is preferred because generally gggg 2 g; g 'f"" A available in urban and suburban regions as a domestic gg 03 1 i' i water supply. The operating fluid works against a-flex- 3478909 1 141969 2 69 A ible fluid impervious diaphragm arranged to thrust the 3,1897 T at Him/229 receptacle member toward the other member, selec- 2 508877 5/1950 Em I2 5 0 tively operable valve means being provided to control ere the introduction and withdrawal of the fluid into a FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS fl Operating chamber defined j y y such diaphragm and a housing which surrounds the mova- 601,893 8/1934 Germany ..100/250 ble receptada 413,567 7/1934 Great Britain ..l00/249 107,825 12/1899 Germanv ..l00/269 A 22 Claims. 12 Drawing V 4-1-6 32;

as 42 I E 29 T4 4 111 7 1 7 i2 I z a i l A l/ lol E0 7t L n & Z, 1 ,6 41;. i 100 1 as 52 (3 99 5s 51 I 35 e3 68 7 SHEET 1 BF 2 PATENTEDSEP 5 m2 REFUSE COMPACTOR This invention relates to an improved refuse compactor, more particularly to one of a type intended for installation in a home or residence. The function of the compactor is to receive loose refuse such as empty cans, bottles and cartons, paper, garbage and other disposable trash items, from time to time, and compact such refuse so as to reduce its volume substantially.

An important object of the present invention is to provide'such a refuse compactor which can be easily loaded with loose refuse and thereafter easily operated to compact the refuse. This procedure can be repeated a number of times at varying intervals until a desired reduction in the volume of the refuse is produced, following which the compacted refuse can be easily removed from the apparatus and disposed of such as by being placed in a garbage can for pick-up. Since the compacted refuse occupies much less volume than the same amount of refuse does when uncompacted or loose, disposal is simplified.

An outstanding advantage of the present invention is to provide such a refuse compactor which is simple in construction and which utilizes for its motive force to effect the compaction a pressurized fluid readily available in a home or residence, such as the domestic water supply already present to service other appliances using water such as sinks, lavatories, water closets, dish washers and laundry machines.

Besides ease of refuse loading, operation and compacted refuse removal, other features of the present invention include providing such a compactor which is easy to keep clean, effective to produce compaction notwithstanding the supply of operating fluid varies in pressure, safe to operate, and relatively inexpensive in cost as original equipment, to install, to maintain and to operate.

Still other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet section in which is arranged a refuse compactor constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view thereof taken generally on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the receptacle member of the compactor in its lowermost position which it occupies for the reception of loose refuse.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing said receptacle member in its uppermost compacting position.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of said receptacle member and a portion of the surrounding wall of the housing illustrating a dimensional relationship between such receptacle member and housing to prevent jamming or cocking of the receptacle member during its up and down travel in the housing.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5, but illustrating the receptacle member inv its permitted maximum upper position occupied when the compacted'refuse is removed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical central sectional view fore and aft of the upper portion of the cabinet section and compactor, taken generally on line 6-6 of 4 FIG. 2, and illustrating the movable closure for the upper end of the housing of the compactor.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the cabinet section and compactor taken generally on line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of a lip portion of a liner and the mouth portion of .a bag for the receptacle member as shown in FIG. 2,

and illustrating the relationship of these portions to the rim of such member and the compactor housing.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the receptacle member shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, and illustrating the connec tion of a flexible fluid barrier member or imperforate diaphragm to the receptacle member.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentaryenlarged vertical sectional view of an air vent device associated with the fluid operating chamber of the compactor, this view being taken generally on line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the conduit and valve arrangement for introducing pressurized fluid and withdrawing fluid from'the fluid operating chamber of the compactor, the view being horizontal and partly in elevation and partly in section, the valve In accordance with the present invention, a refuse compactor indicated generally at 13 is provided which comprises a pair of relatively movable members 14 and 15 defining a space 16 therebetween which is adapted to receive loose refuse to be compacted represented typically at R, one of these members such as 15 being a receptacle, a housing 18 surrounding said members and cooperable therewith to enclose said space, a flexible fluid barrier member or impervious diaphragm l9 arranged on that side of one member such as 15 which is remote from the other member 14 and defining with said housing a fluid operating chamber 20,'and means indicated generally at 21 for controlling the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber to control the movement of said members relative to each other.

In order to enclose the inventive refuse compactor and to support the same, a cabinet 22 is provided, illustrated principally in FIG. 1, which comprises a front wall 23, a rear wall v24, a left side wall 25, and a right side wall 26 (FIG. 2). A horizontal upper side rail 28 is supported on left side wall 25 and extends between the front and rear walls of the cabinet. A similar horizontal rail 29 is arranged on the right side wall 26. A horizontalupper rear transverse rail 30 (FIG. 6) is arranged in front of rear wall 24 and is connected at its ends to side rails 28 and 29. Mounted on these rails 28-30 and the upper edges of front wall 23 and rear wall 24 is a countertop 31 having an upstanding rear splash guard portion 32. This countertop adjacent its rear is shown as provided with a central circular hole 33 for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

Housing 18 includes an upper elongated tubular cylindrical section 34 and a lower upright cup-shaped cylindrical section 35 having a horizontal bottom wall 36. The lower end of this upper section is provided with an out-tumed annular flange 38 and the upper end of this lower section is provided with a similar out-tumed annular flange 39. These flanges are provided with a series of circumferentially spaced holes through which the shanks of nut and bolt fastening means 40 extend.

Between these flanges is clamped the marginal portion 41 of diaphragm 19.

Upper housing section 34 is shown as having at its upper end an out-turned annular flange 42 of rectangular outline in plan. At the left side a channel-shaped guide member 43 is arranged on flange 42 and extends in a direction fore and aft of the cabinet. A similar channel-shaped guide member 44 is provided on flange 42 at the diametrically opposite or right side of upper housing section 34 and is parallel to guide member 43. These members 43 and 44 severally extend between front wall 23 and rear rail 30 (FIG. 6) and are arranged on their sides on flange 42 so that their open channels face each other to provide ways for slidably guiding the marginal portions of closure member 14. Guide members 43 and 44 are welded or otherwise suitably connected to flange 42. The vertical laterally outer end wall or web of each of these U-shaped guide members 43 and 44 is shown as having welded thereto an L- shaped angle member 45 provided with a series of longitudinallyspaced holes through which screws '46 can be inserted to screw into side rails 28 and 29. Countertop 31 overlies the upper horizontal walls of these guide members 43 and 44 and the inner ends of these walls are shown as beingtangential to opening 33.

Opening 33 is at least as large in diameter as the inside diameter of housing section 34 and is preferably concentric therewith. This therefore places housing 18 inside cabinet 22 near the rear thereof (FIG. 7).

Upper closure member 14 is in the form of a flatsided rectangularly shaped metal plate the opposite marginal portions of which are slidably received in the recesses of guide members 43 and 44. This member 14 is elongated in a fore and aft direction relative to the cabinet so that when in a closed position as-shown in FIG. 6 it extends through a horizontal slot in front wall 23. In this closed position, the rear end of member 14 abuts transverse cabinet rail 30. At its front end extemally of the cabinet, member 14 is shown as having a downturned extension 48 which provides a handle for grasping this closure member and pulling it outwardly so as to open the upper end of housing 18.

- Receptacle member is made of a suitable rigid material-and has an upper side wall portion 49, the external cylindrical surface 50 of which is closely spaced with respect to the opposing coterrninous internal cylindrical surfaces 51 of housing sections 34 and 35. This receptacle member also includes a lower side wall portion 52 adjacent the lower closed end 53 of this member which is of reduced external transverse dimension so as to provide an annular space 54 between the external surface 55 of this portion and the housing internal surfaces 51. I

Referring to FIG. 4, the line A represents a diagonal from the lower edge of upper enlarged receptacle side wall portion 49 to the diametrically opposite upper edge or rim 56 of this portion. This diagonal dimension A must be greater than the internal diameter represented by the line B of housing sections 34 and 35. The reason for this is to prevent the receptacle member 15 from cocking and jamming in its upward and downward travel within housing 18.

Diaphragm 19 includes a central circular portion 58 which bears against the lower surface of the bottom wall 53 of receptacle member 15 and an integral intermediate portion 59 integrally connected to the previously mentioned marginal portion 41. Diaphragm 19 is made of a suitable flexible material such as rubber of sufficient strength to withstand the maximum pressures encountered. A retainer plate 60 in the form of a disk holds central diaphragm portion 58 against receptacle bottom wall 53. This plate is provided with an upstanding annular flange 61 of small height having a rounded rim 62 which guides the intermediate diaphragm portion 59 around the curved external comer 63 of receptacle member 15, as best shown in FIG. 9. Intermediate diaphragm portion 59 is folded upon itself as indicated at 64 and accommodated in annular space 54, both when receptacle member is in its lowermost position il-v lustrated inFIG. 2, as well as when it is in its uppermost compacting position illustrated in FIG. 3. Different parts of intermediate diaphragm portion 59 in effect roll on each other and also roll on opposing surfaces 51 and 55, as the receptacle member 15 moves between these positions. Retainer plate 60 clamps the central diaphragm por tion 58 against the lower surface of bottom wall 53-of receptacle, member 15 by a bolt 65 the shank of which extends upwardly through registered holes provided in this plate, diaphragm portion and bottom wall, and its upper threaded end has screwed thereon a nut 66 arranged in a recess 68 provided in the upper surfaceof this bottom wall. The upper end of this bolt shank does not extend above the upper surface of floor of the bot- I tom wall 53 of receptacle member 15. The clamping action provided by this nut and bolt connection is such as to provide a sealing engagement between the contacting surfaces of the diaphragm with the receptacle and bolt so as to prevent the passage of fluid either upwardly or downwardly along the shank of the bolt.

A cup-shaped liner 69 is preferably arranged within receptacle member 15. This liner is made of any suitable rigid material and is shown as being of uniform wall thickness, having a slightly upwardly and outwardly tapering side wall 70 and a closed horizontal bottom wall 71. The liner also includes an integral out-turned thickened lip portion 72 at its upper open end overlying the rim 56 of the receptacle member. This lip portion preferably has a rounded exterior 73 as shown in FIG. 8. The internal surface 74 of the receptacle member has a draft taper and the external surface 75 of the liner has a complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of the liner from the receptacle member.

Preferably a bag 76 such as a waterproof paper bag is arranged within the liner. Such bag is shown as having its mouth portion 78 folded or wrapped over lip portion 72 of liner 69 and clamped between the opposing side wall surfaces 74 and 75 of this liner and receptacle member 15. When the bag is folded over this lip portion as illustrated, the exposed laterally salient portion 77 of the bag has a wiping contact with the internal housing surface 51 during vertical movement of the receptacle member. This contact tends to provide a moving seal to prevent refuse and liquid dumped toward the recess of v the receptacle member 15 from penetrating the close clearance between the opposing surfaces 50 and 51 of the upper side wall portion 49 of this receptacle member and housing 18.

Means are provided for introducing pressurized fluid into chamber 20 to move receptacle member 15 upwardly thereby to compact refuse R that had been introduced through the open upper end of housing 18 when closure member 14 had been pulled outwardly so as to expose the upper end of this housing. When the closure member 14 is in its inserted position so as to close off the upper end of housing 18 and the receptacle member is moved upwardly, it will be seen that refuse is compacted between these two relatively movable members. Means are also provided for withdrawing fluid from chamber 20 to allow receptacle member 15 to move away from closure member 14.

While such fluid introducing and withdrawing means may be variously constructed and selectively controlled, the sarne is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as comprising a three-way valve 79 including a stationary valve body 80 having an inlet 81, an outlet 82 and a control port 83 in the wall thereof. Avalve rotor 84 rotatably arranged within this valve housing and having a passage 85 is adapted to connect outlet 82 and port 83 in one position of such rotor as shown in FIG. 11,

and adapted to connect inlet 81 and port 83 in another position as shown in FIG. 12.

Inlet 81 is shown as communicatively connected via conduit 86 to a pressure regulator 88 of any suitable construction, in turn communicatively connected to a supply conduit 89 for supplying a pressurized fluid from any suitable source. Preferably the fluid supplied is pressurized water available from a domestic water supply having a pressure which may range from 30 psi to 1 15 psi, typically. Regulator 88 may be adjusted typically to provide a regulated pressure of 50 psi.

Control port 83 is shown as communicating via conduit 90 with a port 91 provided in the side wall portion of lower housing section 35 adjacent the bottom wall 36 thereof and thereby with fluid operating chamber 20.

Outlet port 82 is shown as'communicatively connected to a drain conduit 92 having an atmospheric vent device therein, schematically illustrated at 93 in FIG. 11, and downstream of this device a U-shaped water trapway 94. Drain conduit 92 may lead to a sewer pipe and the purpose of trapway 94 is to seal off sewer odors. The purpose of atmospheric vent device 93 is to prevent back siphonage of water from the sewer into the compactor.

Valve rotor 84 is pivoted or rotated about a vertical axis by a rod 95 which extends upwardly between left side wall of the cabinet and housing 18 and penetrates upwardly through and is suitably journalled in a hole provided in the countertop 31. A handle 96 is suitably fastened to the upper end of this rod. The lower end of this rod is suitably fastened to valve rotor 84.

Handle 96 is normally kept in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this being the drain position for the valve rotor corresponding to FIG. 11. When this valve handle is manipulated so as to rotate the same 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed from above, this will pivot valve rotor 84 from the position shown in FIG. 11 to that shown in FIG. 12. This new position allows water from supply conduit 89 after being pressure regulated by regulator 88 to flow through conduit 86, through inlet 81, through valve passage 85, through control port 83, through conduit 90, and through port 91 into housing 18. I

An air vent device 98 .is preferably operatively associated with the upper portion of fluid operating chamber 20 when receptacle member 15 is in its lowermost position as depicted in FIG. 2. This is the position of this receptacle member at the start of the introduction of pressurized fluid into this chamber, which had previously been drained of fluid. Since such draining of fluid may have left air within the chamber, this air is preferably purged from this chamber as the pressurized water is introduced into the lower end of this chamber. For this purpose, the side wall of the lower housing section 35 adjacent its upper end is provided with a port 99 to which an L-shaped pipe 100 is connected, having one of its branches arranged upright. On the upper end of this upstanding branch of pipe 100 is mounted air vent device 98 of any suitable construction. As shown in FIG. 10, this device comprises a hollow housing 101 closed at its top by a wall 102 and closed at its-bottom by a wall 103 which has an opening 104 therein surrounded 'by a nipple 105 suitably secured as by a threaded connection to the upper end of pipe 100. Intermediate the vertical extent of this housing 101, the same is provided with a transverse wall 106 having a vertical passage therethrough formed by downwardly facing frusto-conical surface 108 so asto provide an upper chamber 109 and a lower chamber 110. This lower chamber houses a ball float 11 1 having a slightly smaller diameter than the internal diameter of this lower chamber, this ball float being adapted to be forced upwardly against surface 108 to seat thereagainst and close off communication between chambers 109 and 110. Upper chamber 109 is vented to the atmosphere via a series of circumferentially spaced radial holes 112 provided in its side wall.

When pressurized water is introduced into the lower part of fluid operating chamber 20, any air present in the upper part of this chamber is purged outwardly through pipe 100 into air vent housing opening 104 to lift ball float 111 ofi its lower position of rest on the bottom wall 103 and to flow around this ball and upwardly through the lower chamber 110, through passage 108 into upper chamber 109 and ultimately out vent holes 1 12. As the water displaces the air, the water rises in lower chamber 110 thereby floating ball lll upwardly toward and ultimately-against seat 108. Continued pressure of the water firmly presses this ball into sealing engagement with this seat.

OPERATION It is assumed that the Compactor is in the initial condition illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 11. In this condition, receptacle member 15 with its liner 69 and bag 76 mounted thereon is in its lowermost position as shown in FIG. 2 and valve rotor 84 is establishing communication between fluid operating chamber 20 and drain conduit 92 as shown in FIG. 11. It will also be noted that the valve handle 96 is depicted in its forwardly projecting position in this condition of the compactor.

It is now assumed that loose refuse comprising such items as empty cans, bottles, paper or plastic cartons such as those in which milk is sometimes contained, wrappings, garbage and miscellaneous'trash, is desired to be fed into the compactor. For this purpose, the operator grasps the handle 48 of closure plate '14 and pulls it forwardly as depicted by broken lines 14' in FIG. 6 so as to uncover the upper end of housing 18. The closed position of closure plate is depicted by full lines in FIG. 6.

After a load of loose refuse R such as depicted in FIG. 2 has been placed in housing 18 through its open upper end, closure plate 14 is pushed inwardly to close off the upper end, of this housing. Thereafter valve handle 96is turned approximately 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed from above so as to break communication between outlet 82 and control port 83, as depicted in FIG. 11, and establish communication between this control port 83 and inlet 81 as depicted in FIG. 12. When this occurs, water flows through inlet conduit 89, through valve regulator 88 which regulates the pressure of this water to a preset value such as 50 psi, such pressure controlled water thereafter flowing through conduit 86, through inlet 81, through rotor passage 85, through controlport 83, through conduit 90 and through port 91 into chamber 20. The pressurized water so introduced works against the lower portion of receptacle member 15 as covered by the diaphragm 19 and over the effective end area creates an upward force or thrust sufficient to raise this receptacle membenThus this receptacle member with its load of loose refuseR is raised toward the now closed plate 14 and continues to move until the refuse projecting upwardly above the receptacle member contacts the lower surface of closure plate. Thereafter, continued upper movement of receptacle member 15 compresses or compacts the refusepartially compressing it into the receptacle member. The ultimate upward position of the receptacle member is limited by engagement of the bag covered liner lip portion 72, which resets upon the rim 56 of the receptacle member, against the lower surface of the now closed closure plate 14. At this point the full force of theoperating fluid against the underside of the receptacle member is effective to press closure plate 14 against the upper flanges of its guide members 43 and 44. This pressing or thrusting action creates sufiicient friction between the contacting surfaces of the closure plate and its guide members such that this closure plate cannot be pulled outwardly by manual force to open the upper end of the housing 18.

Thereafter, the operator turns the valve handle 96 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from above so as to move valve rotor 84 from the position shown in FIG. 12 to that shown in FIG. 11. This cuts off the pressurized water supply and reestablishes communication between fluid operating chamber 20 in the housing 18 with drain conduit 92 and allows the fluid in this chamber to drain out by gravity. As the fluid leaves chamber 20 the weight of receptacle member with its liner, bag and partially compacted refuse therewithin, causes this assembly to lower and move from the uppermost compacting position shown in FIG. 3 to the lowermost position shown in FIG. 2. Normally, the compactor is left in this condition between cycles of operation wherein chamber 20 communicates with drain conduit 92.

It is pointed out that if there had been air present in chamber 20 when the pressurized water was introduced thereinto, this would accumulate near the top of this chamber and would have been vented through atmospheric vent device 98. Likewise, as the fluid drains out of chamber 20, the ball 111 of the air vent device 98 will drop away from its seat 108 and this may allow air to enter through holes 112 and pass through pipe 100 into this chamber. It is any such readmitted air which is purged from the chamber 20 when the compactor is operated during its next cycle by again turning the valve handle 96 to permit pressurized water to enter this chamber.

It will be appreciated that the aforedescribed cycle of operation can be repeated several times, at intervals spread over days, utilizing additional loose refuse placed on top of previously partially compacted refuse before sufiicient refuse has been compacted to a density high enough to warrant removal of the bag with the collectively compacted refuse therewithin. Assuming that several cycles of operation with fresh loads of loose refuse being introduced in the manner described for each cycle, have occurred so that it is desired to remove the finally compacted load of refuse, this is accomplished in the following manner. Assuming the receptacle member 15 in its lowermost position as depicted in FIG. 2, the closure plate 14 is pulled is pulled out so as to open the upper end of housing 18. Valve handle 96 is then moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 3 so as to cause pressurized water to enter chamber 20 and raise the receptacle member 15 with its associated elements and load of compacted refuse. However, unlike the limited upward movement previously described for compacting refuse, the receptacle member and associated elements are now raised upwardly through opening 33 in the countertop 31, as depicted in FIG. 5. This position is limited by the full unfolding or extension of diaphragm 19, it being strong enough to withstand the full pressure of the operating fluid when the diaphragm is in the position depicted in FIG. 5. In this condition, it will be noted that the rounded upper edge or rim 62 of the upstanding flange 61 on diaphragm retainer plate 60 is conducive to minimizing any damage to the diaphragm as it passes over this edge or rim.

When in this position depicted in FIG. 5, the operator grasps the exposed bag covered lip portion 72 of liner 69 and lifts upwardly so as to remove the liner with the bag therewithin upwardly out of receptacle member 15. The draft between the opposing surfaces 74 and 75 of the receptacle member and liner facilitates such removal. Thereafter the mouth portion 78 of the bag 76 is unwrapped from around liner lip portion 72 and the bag is closed so as to confine the compacted refuse and the bag is lifted from the liner.

Following this, a fresh unfilled bag 76 can be inserted into liner 69, the closed end of the bag being placed adjacent the bottom of the liner and the mouth portion 78 of the new bag being wrapped around the liner lip portion 72, and then the liner with the new bag applied thereto in the manner described is inserted so as to rest the bag covered lip portion on the rim 56 of the receptacle member with the end part of the mouth portion of the bag being clamped between tapered surfaces 74 and 75.

Following this, valve handle 96 is turned from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 1 whereby valve rotor is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 12 to that shown in FIG. 11. This permits fluid to drain from chamber 20 and allows the receptacle with the liner and the new bag mounted thereon to descend back into housing 18. Once the lip portion 72 of the liner has descended below the upper end of this housing, closure plate 14 can be pushed inwardly to close off the upper end of this housing. The receptacle with its liner and new bag mounted thereon will continue to descend until it is returned to its lowermost position, as depicted in FIG. 2, preparatory to a new cycle of operation.

While the operating fluid described hereinabove in connection with the preferred embodiment of the refuse compactor is derived from a domestic pressurized water supply which is generally available in a home or residence, it will be readily understood that an independent pressurized liquid supply, such as provided by a motor driven pump, for example, may be used. Of course, any other liquid besides water, such as oil, for example, may be employed as the operating fluid. In this connection, even a gas instead of a liquid can be employed as the operating fluid. In the case of a gas such as compressed air, for example, being used instead of a liquid, there would be no need for the air vent device 98. and this device would be eliminated under such circumstances.

It will also be noted that with the diaphragm 19 being capable of withstanding the full pressure of the operating fluid when thrust to its maximum upper position, as depicted in FIG. 5, there is no danger or hazard to a person who might inadvertently operate the valve to allow the admission of pressurized fluid into chamber 20 even when closure plate 14 is in an open condition. On the other hand, when this closure plate is in its fully closed position and the lower surface thereof is being contacted by refuse while being compacted, the force of compaction will press this closure plate into sufficient frictional engagement with its guide members 43 and 44 so as to prevent manual withdrawal of this closure plate to an open position.

What is claimed is:

l. A refuse compactor comprising,a pair of relatively movable upper and lower members defining a space therebetween which is adapted to receive refuse to'be compacted, said lower of said members being an upright receptacle made of rigid material, a housing surrounding such lower receptacle member, a flexible fluid impervious diaphragm arranged against the bottom portion of said receptacle member so as to render said receptacle member movable and defining with said housing a fluid operating chamber, and means for-controlling the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber to control movement of said members relative to each other.

2. A refuse compactor according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle member has a side wall the diagonal dimension of the maximum transverse portion of which measured externally is equal to at least the transverse dimension of said housing measured internally.

3. A refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein said portion of said side wall is adjacent the upper rim of said receptacle member.

4. A refuse compactor according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle member includes a side wall having a portion adjacent the lower closed end of said receptacle member which is in spaced relation to said housing to provide an annular space therebetween, said diaphragm having a central portion opposing said closed end, a marginal portion secured to said housing and an intermediate portion folded upon itself arranged in said annular space.

5. A refuse compactor according to claim 4 wherein a removable bag is arranged within said receptacle member.

6. A refuse compactor according to claim 5 wherein a liner is arranged within said receptacle member and has an outtumed lip portion overlying said rim, said bag being arranged within said liner and having its mouth portion folded over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle member.

7. A refuse compactor according to claim 6 wherein said lip portion has a rounded exterior and said mouth portion has a wiping contact with said housing during movement of said receptacle member.

8. A refuse compactor according to claim 6 wherein the internal surface of said-receptacle member has a draft taper and the extemal surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle member.

9. A refuse compactor comprising, an elongated upright housing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a removable closure for said upper end, a receptacle made of rigid material arranged in said housing for movement up and down between said ends of said housing and having its recess facing said upper end and adapted to receive refuse introduced through said upper end when open, a flexible fluid barrier member interposed between said lower end of said housing and said receptacle and jointly forming therewith a fluid operating chamber, and means for introducing pressurized fluid into said chamber to move said receptacle upwardly thereby to compact refuse that had been so introduced against said closure when in place closing said upper end, and means for withdrawing fluid from said chamber to allow said member to move downwardly.

10. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said closure is slidable between its closed and open positions.

l 1. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said fluid introducing and withdrawing means includes selectively operable valve means adapted to be connected to an available city water supply and a water drain and air vent means communicating with said chamber adjacent the upper end thereof, water flowing out of said chamber by gravity when said valve means is operatively connected to drain so as to allow said receptacle to descend.

12. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said receptacle has a side wall the diagonal dimension of the maximum transverse portion of which measured externally is equal to at least the transverse dimension of said housing measured internally.

13. A refuse compactor according to claim 12 wherein said portion of said side wall is adjacent the rim of said receptacle.

14. A refuse compactor according to claim 1 wherein said side wall has another portion of reduced external transverse dimension adjacent the bottom of said receptacle to provide an annular space between said another portion and said housing, said flexible member having a central portion opposing said bottom,

a marginal portion secured to said housing and an intermediate portion folded upon itself arranged in said annular space.

15. A refuse compactor according to claim 14 and further comprising a retainer member secured to said receptacle for retaining said central portion of said flexible member against said bottom of said receptacle and including an upstanding annular flange having a rounded rim, the complete unfolding of said flexible member causing the same to bend over said rounded rim in engagement therewith and limiting the maximum upward fluid induced travel'of said receptacle, permitted when said opposite end is open so that said receptacle projects partially from said housing, thereby rendering more accessible for removal the refuse that has been compacted in said receptacle.

16. A refuse compactor according to claim 14 wherein a removable bag is arranged within said receptacle.

17. A refuse compactor according to claim 16 wherein a liner is arranged within said receptacle and has an outtumed lip portion opposing'said rim, said bag being arranged within said liner and having its mouth portion folded over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle.

18. A refuse compactor according to claim 17 wherein said lip portion has a rounded exterior and said mouth portion has a wiping contact with said housing during movement of said receptacle.

19. A refuse compactor according. to claim 18 wherein the internal surface of said receptacle has a draft taper and the external surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle.

20. A refuse compactor comprising, a cabinet including a counter top having a circular opening extending vertically therethrough, a vertically elongated housing arranged in said cabinet below said counter top and having a cylindrical internal surface generally concentric and at least as large in diameter as said opening, openable closure means for the upper end of said housing arranged between said counter top and housing, an upright receptacle slidable vertically in said housing and adapted to receive refuse introduced through said opening when said closure means are open, a flexible. fluid barrier member arranged-against the bottom portion of said receptacle and including a portion folded upon itself, means jointly with said flexible member providing a fluid operating chamber, means for introducing pressurized fluid into said chamber to move said receptacle upwardly so as to compact refuse that had been so introduced against said closure means when closed, and means for withdrawing fluid from said chamber to allow said receptacle to move downwardly, the complete unfolding of said flexible member limiting the maximum upward fluid induced travel of said receptacle when said closure means are open to a position wherein the rim of said receptacle has passed from said housing into said opening, thereby rendering more accessible for removal of the refuse that has been compacted in said receptacle.

21. A refuse compactor according to claim 20 and further comprising a liner arranged within said receptacl e and having an outtumed lip portion opposing the u rrim deofs'drecetacle,aba arrned w l in said in er and avingi mouth po ion ol ed over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle, said lip portion being above said counter top when said receptacle has been moved to said position.

22. A refuse compactor according to claim 21 wherein the internal surface of said receptacle has a draft taper and the external surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle.

I III 

1. A refuse compactor comprising,a pair of relatively movable upper and lower members defining a space therebetween which is adapted to receive refuse to be compacted, said lower of said members being an upright receptacle made of rigid material, a housing surrounding such lower receptacle member, a flexible fluid impervious diaphragm arranged against the bottom portion of said receptacle member so as to render said receptacle member movable and defining with said housing a fluid operating chamber, and means for controlling the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber to control movement of said members relative to each other.
 2. A refuse compactor according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle member has a side wall the diagonal dimension of the maximum transverse portion of which measured externally is equal to at least the transverse dimension of said housing measured internally.
 3. A refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein said portion of said side wall is adjacent the upper rim of said receptacle member.
 4. A refuse compactor according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle member includes a side wall having a portion adjacent the lower closed end of said receptacle member which is in spaced relation to said housing to provide an annular space therebetween, said diaphragm having a central portion opposing said closed end, a marginal portion secured to said housing and an intermediate portion folded upon itself arranged in said annular space.
 5. A refuse compactor according to claim 4 wherein a removable bag is arranged within said receptacle member.
 6. A refuse compactor according to claim 5 wherein a liner is arranged within said receptacle member and has an outturned lip portion overlying said rim, said bag being arranged within said liner and having its mouth portion folded over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle member.
 7. A refuse compactor according to claim 6 wherein said lip portion has a rounded exterior and said mouth portion has a wiping contact with said housing during movement of said receptacle member.
 8. A refuse compactor according to claim 6 wherein the internal surface of said receptacle member has a draft taper and the external surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle member.
 9. A refuse compactor comprising, an elongated upright housing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a removable closure for said upper end, a receptacle made of rigid material arranged in said housing for movement up and down between said ends of said housing and having its recess facing said upper end and adapted to receive refuse introduced through said upper end when open, a flexible fluid barrier member interposed between said lower end of said housing and said receptacle and jointly forming therewith a fluid operating chamber, and means for introducing pressurized fluid into said chamber to move said receptacle upwardly thereby to compact refuse that had been so introduced against said closure when in place closing said upper end, and means for withdrawing fluid from said chamber to allow said member to move downwardly.
 10. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said closure is slidable between its closed and open positions.
 11. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said fluid introducing and withdrawing means includes selectively operable valve means adapted to be connected to an available city water supply and a water drain and air vent means communicating with said chamber adjacent the upper end thereof, water flowing out of said chamber by gravity when said valve means is operatively connected to drain so as to allow said receptacle to descend.
 12. A refuse compactor according to claim 9 wherein said receptacle has a side wall the diagonal dimension of the maximum transverse portion of which measured externally is equal to at least the transverse dimension of said housing measured internally.
 13. A refuse compactor according to claim 12 wherein said portion of said side wall is adjacent the rim of said receptacle.
 14. A refuse compactor according to claim 13 wherein said side wall has another portion of reduced external transverse dimension adjacent the bottom of said receptacle to provide an annular space between said another portion and said housing, said flexible member having a central portion opposing said bottom, a marginal portion secured to said housing and an intermediate portion folded upon itself arranged in said annular space.
 15. A refuse compactor according to claim 14 and further comprising a retainer member secured to said receptacle for retaining said central portion of said flexible member against said bottom of said receptacle and including an upstanding annular flange having a rounded rim, the complete unfolding of said flexible member causing the same to bend over said rounded rim in engaGement therewith and limiting the maximum upward fluid induced travel of said receptacle, permitted when said opposite end is open so that said receptacle projects partially from said housing, thereby rendering more accessible for removal the refuse that has been compacted in said receptacle.
 16. A refuse compactor according to claim 14 wherein a removable bag is arranged within said receptacle.
 17. A refuse compactor according to claim 16 wherein a liner is arranged within said receptacle and has an outturned lip portion opposing said rim, said bag being arranged within said liner and having its mouth portion folded over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle.
 18. A refuse compactor according to claim 17 wherein said lip portion has a rounded exterior and said mouth portion has a wiping contact with said housing during movement of said receptacle.
 19. A refuse compactor according to claim 18 wherein the internal surface of said receptacle has a draft taper and the external surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle.
 20. A refuse compactor comprising, a cabinet including a counter top having a circular opening extending vertically therethrough, a vertically elongated housing arranged in said cabinet below said counter top and having a cylindrical internal surface generally concentric and at least as large in diameter as said opening, openable closure means for the upper end of said housing arranged between said counter top and housing, an upright receptacle slidable vertically in said housing and adapted to receive refuse introduced through said opening when said closure means are open, a flexible fluid barrier member arranged against the bottom portion of said receptacle and including a portion folded upon itself, means jointly with said flexible member providing a fluid operating chamber, means for introducing pressurized fluid into said chamber to move said receptacle upwardly so as to compact refuse that had been so introduced against said closure means when closed, and means for withdrawing fluid from said chamber to allow said receptacle to move downwardly, the complete unfolding of said flexible member limiting the maximum upward fluid induced travel of said receptacle when said closure means are open to a position wherein the rim of said receptacle has passed from said housing into said opening, thereby rendering more accessible for removal of the refuse that has been compacted in said receptacle.
 21. A refuse compactor according to claim 20 and further comprising a liner arranged within said receptacle and having an outturned lip portion opposing the upper rim edge of said receptacle, a bag arranged within said liner and having its mouth portion folded over said lip portion and clamped between said liner and receptacle, said lip portion being above said counter top when said receptacle has been moved to said position.
 22. A refuse compactor according to claim 21 wherein the internal surface of said receptacle has a draft taper and the external surface of said liner has a substantially complementary draft taper to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle. 